Bee aware, says Kettering MP Philip Hollobone

Philip Hollobone MP backs British bees at Westminster. 15th January 2013. 125 MPs attended the event from 6 different political parties. 85 MPs also signed up to support a national bee action plan.

Published:11:41Thursday 17 January 2013

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Kettering MP Philip Hollobone joined a giant bumble bee and campaigners from the Friends of the Earth on Tuesday to draw attention to the decline in UK bee numbers.

Mr Hollobone was one of more than 125 MPs to show their support for Britain’s threatened bees.

Last year Friends of the Earth launched its Bee Cause campaign, which has been backed by more than 80,000 people and calls for the Government to urgently to introduce a National Bee Action Plan aimed at saving our bees.

Friends of the Earth say that while bees are makers of honey, they are also crucial for pollinating crops and plants.

A sharp fall in their number in recent years has led to growing concerns about the impact this may have on our local environment, farmers and the economy.

A study last year found that if bees disappeared it would cost British farmers at least £1.8 billion a year to pollinate their crops by hand - which would cause food prices, such as fresh fruit and veg, to rocket.

Mr Hollobone said: “I am extremely concerned about the rapid decline in British Bees. They’re not only an iconic part of our countryside; they play a vital role in pollinating our crops and flowers too.

“It’s great news that Friends of the Earth is creating a buzz about these crucially important insects – I’ll be doing all I can to help protect our bees in 2013.”

Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins said: “People up and down the country can help by creating bee-friendly gardens and habitats to enable bees to thrive, but it is vital that the Government does its bit too by introducing a National Bee Action Plan.”